‘August: Osage County’ Dominates Capri Film Festival

John Wells’ family drama dominated the Capri, Hollywood Film Festival in Italy, nabbing its four top prizes. “August” — an adaptation of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer-winning play — won best film, while its star Meryl Streep grabbed the 18th annual fest’s best actress prize. The cast, which also includes Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale and Chris Cooper, received the acting ensemble award and Oscar-winner Cooper was honored with a lifetime achievement award.

The film was also recognized by the Writers Guild of America on Friday. Past Capri, Hollywood fest best film winners, including “The Artist,” “The King’s Speech” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” have nabbed the top prize at the Oscars as well.

David O. Russell received the fest’s best director award for “American Hustle” and best original screenplay with co-writer Eric Warren Singer. John Ridley picked up the best adapted screenplay for “12 Years a Slave.”

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” another Weinstein Company film, was the fest’s other big winner. Idris Elba was named best actor, Naomie Harris nabbed the best supporting actress award and U2’s “Ordinary Love” won best song. The best supporting actor prize was given to Michael Fassbender for “Twelve Years A Slave.”

The Capri audience award went to “Saving Mr. Banks,” “The Croods” was named best animated feature and Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Great Beauty” received the Capri visionary movie award. Valeria Golino is the European actress of the year, while Riccardo Scamarcio and Emily Ratajkowski are Capri’s rising stars.